Occasional starter grinding

[Texasdoc]

Usually my cobra starter works fine. However, about one out of ten times the starter sounds like it doesn't "catch" the flywheel. I get a grinding sound, then when I let off the button (pushbutton start), it sounds like the starter is free-wheeling for a few seconds as it spins down. I can immediately hit the starter again, after the free-wheeling stops, and it will engage.

I have looked into starter problems online. Lots of references to shimming Chevy starters, and that Ford starters don't need shimming.

Any ideas?

PowerMaster Mastertorque 9604 starter.
157 tooth steel flywheel.
Tremec T5 tranny.
Stock Aluminum Bellhousing.

[Tommy]

Sounds to me like a missing tooth (teeth) on the flywheel. Inspect the all the flywheel teeth if you can.

[52chevyred]

I had a similar problem on my starter, when I first got the motor. I took the starter to a "rebuild" place (the teeth on the starterbendix looked pretty worn) removed a "spacer" the previous owner had put on it and "no problems" since.

I did notice on the flywheel, when I had the motor out, some of the flywheel teeth were damaged, but not too bad. The motor had been in an "automatic" equipped car, so I put a new fly wheel on for my manual Trans.

[Texasdoc]

It's a new flywheel with only about 300 miles on it. The starter has about 3000 miles. I have them both out of the car at the moment replacing a rear main seal. The teeth look ok.

[Luce]

If it's an old style direct drive that requires the solenoid on the firewall, it may be the internal shunt switch is dirty. They have a bug nasty switch that shorts the armature until the bendix it thrown my the field lug to keep the armature from spinning up prior to engagement.

If it's a newer style gear reduction starter, disregard all above.

[Large Arbor]

I would pull the starter and look at the gear teeth. Make sure it is fully engaging on the flywheel. I lost a ring gear due to the wrong starter only engaging 25%. I would also rotate the engine with the plugs out while you look at the flywheel teeth. I would also check the starter bolts to be sure they are tight.

Phil

[jeffgrice]

Originally Posted by Texasdoc

It's a new flywheel with only about 300 miles on it. The starter has about 3000 miles. I have them both out of the car at the moment replacing a rear main seal. The teeth look ok.

If you have a new flywheel I would go back to the installer. It could be an alignment issue with the bellhousing.

This happend to me. The lakewood was not aligned properly and over time wore the flywheel. I doubt it wore your flywheel in 300 miles but I would consider the bell housing alignment to check.

Jeff